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  Case: Cannot Cooperate
Aisha is known as a responsible and smart student. I have known her for the last two years, but this year is the first time she is taking one of my classes. She is in my 10th grade US History class. Recently, I started using small group projects in my class. I simply want my students to learn to cooperate, exchange ideas, and produce the project together. Although Aisha is willing to take part in these small group projects, she does not want to be in groups with male students because of her religious beliefs. When she told me about this, I told her that she was in the United States and that she had to work with whoever she is in a group with. In the first group project, Aisha was in a group with three males and one female students. She simply did not participate in any of the group activities. I wonder if should reconsider my original position on this issue and accommodate Aisha by having her work only with girls. Would I be doing her a disservice? What should I do?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
Aisha obviously has a problem working with males and should not be forced to do so. Religious beliefs should always be respected. As educators, our primary job is to help our students succeed academically. We should not force our plans and ideas on students even if they are considered Best Practices and/or real-world based. I would recommend giving Aisha and even the other students choices of how to complete their work. For example, students can choose to work independently, with a partner, or in a small group. Gender shouldn't matter. Respecting Aisha's feelings will go a long way to eliciting her cooperation.